Pictured: The Flower Girl
TAKE ME HOME WITH YOU!
My new art exhibition, “DANCING THROUGH FIELDS OF FLOWERS”, is full of feelings! It shares a flurry of colourful, love-infused paintings inspired by my artist’s garden, love of colour and flowers.
I was in my happy place, a day after the exhibition opened, when a lovely couple wandered through my artist’s garden and headed for the gallery—my ‘portal’ as Karen who came to my art retreat all the way from Australia told me.
SOLD! I didn’t even have a chance to get these beauties onto my website. “Better When We Are Together”, and “Loving You Loving Me.” Perfect names and the perfect paintings for this beautiful loved-up couple who came to the gallery today during my DANCING THROUGH FIELDS OF FLOWERS exhibition.
Each painting is acrylic and gold leaf on canvas
76cm x 76cm x 1.5cm
They loved them so much they didn’t want to separate them.
As I’ve shared before, soft greens and blues make me feel so peaceful, calm and soothed, as do loving affirmations. My current go-to quote is: “The strong, calm person is always loved and revered. She is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land or a sheltering rock in a storm.”~ James Allen
This quote reminds me to be the peace I want to feel. I also invite love, not fear or anger, to guide my day. I’m not saying it’s easy—if it were, the world would be happier and healthier. When I paint, I create my artworks with kind, caring, loving energy. When people purchase and hang my loving pieces these emotions will pour into their life, home or office.
The paintings, as was the sister piece, Feeling Special, which I have sent to Hawera for the Lysaght Watt Trust Art Award, were inspired by the gift of special flowers by a visiting family from Texas. They have decided to make New Zealand their new home. I was given the flowers in appreciation. “Thank you for making our children feel so special.” I replied, “They are special:)” and then later thought, how special it would be to paint this unexpected gift.
The titles for these paintings were inspired by a suggestion by one of my followers and also a Jack Johnson song. I’m also super grateful to Jenny and Mike for the additional purchase of a commission of my special poppy paintings that they have seen in loved in another collector’s home. I thanked them for loving my art and was so happy when they thanked me for creating the paintings. Love spreads love. Proud to be sharing joy.#golov-20.
Before they purchased their paintings we strolled through the garden and across the expansive lawn and Jenny turned to me, smiled and said, “We want to buy your paintings and take you home with us.” It was such a sweet moment and impacted me so profoundly that I gave her a big hug.
I feel so proud to be a part of something that people say so many nice things about. It’s so rare. I mean, for some people, it’s not that rare, but in my case, growing up I seldom received a compliment.
I can relate to Jennifer Aniston who once shared,
“…watching adults being unkind to each other, and witnessing certain things about human behavior that made me think: I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to be that. I don’t want to experience this feeling I’m having in my body right now. I don’t want anyone I ever come in contact with to feel that. So I guess I have my parents to thank. You can either be angry or be a martyr, or you can say, “You’ve got lemons? Let’s make lemonade.”
Scroll to the end to hear one of my students, Karen from Australia, sharing her experiences after her Fun, Fab and Fearless art retreat. I was so proud of her courage and in love with what she painted (as I was the other students)
“Cassandra invites inspiration and then shows you how to make it happen. Informative and value-packed workshops. Her tuition and intuition are totally on point. This retreat furthered my mission to come into alignment with a more soul-based life and artistic expression. The studio itself is a portal to a world of active imagination and creativity. The magical landscape, view and location are the icing on the cake.I cannot wait to return and participate again.Thank you so much for a truly wonderful, magical few days.”
| NEW DATES in-person fearless art retreat! Next Fun, Fab and Fearless Women’s Art Retreat June 2023. To learn more: https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/workshops-around-the-globe/ Who can paint? It’s my belief that all of us can paint. It’s just that so many of us are afraid to face a blank canvas or pick up a brush. Fearful of being judged, fearful of looking foolish, we hang back… But what if discovering your creative self is about finding the right teacher? Come and paint with me. Cassandra, the joyful artist, award-winning painter and experienced creativity teacher. I’ve helped lots of want-to-be artists find their creative selves and create paintings they’re proud to hang on the wall Enjoy the freedom of fearless abstract painting. Come to my in-person art retreat and experience three days of wonderful fun and play in my studio overlooking the sea and surrounded by beautiful gardens I have four spots left for my 3-day art workshop Friday 23, Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 June (Winter Solstice) The normal fee is $2997 but I am extending an EARLY BIRDIE special of $1495. Offer expires 20 April. Don’t miss out! DM to take advantage of the special offer or email – feel free to forward to a friend https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/workshops-around-the-globe/ Flights and accommodation are in demand it would be advantageous to book ahead. ACCOMMODATION There is a wide range of accommodation options in Kerikeri. Here are a couple of affordable accomodation options. 1.) My friends Ken and Viv live only 5 minutes up the road, easy walking distance and run a sweet AirBnB Cottage – only $117 per night https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/31394809 2.) My friend Bill and his wife have a great arty motel, centrally located in the middle of town. You would need a car or to take a taxi to get out here (12km) away. The advantage is access to town and restaurants, although you can cook in many of the apartments. They also offer gorgeous studios. https://staykerikeri.co.nz/ – from $185 a night 3.) Wharepuke Subtropical Accommodation My friends offer 5 one bedroom self-catering cottages set comfortably in lush established subtropical gardens.They are in a quiet location on the Stone Store Hill just 1km from the Kerikeri town http://wharepuke.nz/kerikeri-accommodation/ – from $160 a night  We hope you join us and kindly help us spread the word! For more details>> |
| About The Bay of Islands: The Bay of Islands is one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations, and for good reason. Stunning natural beauty and over 144 islands make for a fun and diverse playground. Located a short flight from New Zealand’s major city, Auckland it’s easy to get to. Be instantly transported by the magical landscape. Feel the coolness of the fresh-salt air and the beauty of the garden. See why the magic of the Bay of Islands is home to so many creatives and leaders in their field. Plus, check out my gallery, the happy gallery, Art@Rangitane, where the workshop will be held, SIGN UP NOW |
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| Fun-loving Heather came to my three-day art retreat in March and fell in love with Frida. She’s returning for my weekly lessons and Laurie has promised to take her for a ride! |
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| “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Vincent Van Gogh Joy 910mm x 910mm x 35mm Acrylic on canvas https://shop.cassandragaisford.com/product/joy/ |
| In this video, I share the reaction when my clients see the painting they commissioned—another landscape from my mind. I love their reaction! Do you? You can learn more about the commission process here: https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/commissions/ |
| Thanks for reading and watching. I hope you found it uplifting and my musings brought a smile to your life! As always, I never stop appreciating you. Sometimes I forget to tell you that! |
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P.S.
I hope to see you here at my exhibition to enjoy soul-enriching art and beautiful flowers:) More details and views of selected works below…
daily until Tuesday 12 April 2023
174 Rangitane Road
Kerikeri Bay of Islands
To view works from “DANCING THROUGH FIELDS OF FLOWERS” in person see below…or online please visit: https://shop.cassandragaisford.com/product-category/featured/
Acrylic on Canvas
1145mm x 1905mm
2023
“In painting a flower, aim for its strength. Strength in delicacy.” —Robert Henri, The Art Spirit
Do you have a boring blank wall you’d love to fill with joyous colour? Magenta is the colour of universal harmony and emotional balance. It contains red’s passion, power and energy, restrained by violet’s introspection and quiet energy. It promotes compassion, kindness and cooperation. The colour magenta is a colour of cheerfulness, happiness, contentment and appreciation. Perfectly complemented by jubilant and peaceful greens, this beauty glows.
This painting was inspired by the beauty of blooms, real and imagined. I painted this piece just for me. Why? Because it made me happy. And guess what? It made others happy, too. Would she look great in your home? On view during the exhibition or shop online:
There will be a range of small, medium and larger works available for sale—something for all budgets and the perfect opportunity to pick up a special gift (for yourself or someone you love).
Experience floral cheer at my DANCING THROUGH FIELDS OF FLOWERS exhibition. View the artist’s garden and take home some love-infused contemporary art by an award-winning local artist. There’s a chill-out area in the potager garden overlooking the sea and a huge lawn for kids to play on. Have a wander down the road to the local beaches afterwards or stop into our beloved Kainui Vineyard on your way through.
“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
Roy T. Bennett 760 mm x 760 mm. Acrylic on canvas.
I have often reflected that when it rains I paint summer. When I painted this abstract botanical that desire was at the forefront of my heart. I couldn’t control the rain, but as the flood waters rose and the gales intensified and a civil emergency was announced in my region, I shifted to creating a summer bouquet, “Summer Will Come Again.” 2023 has been the worse summer recorded and it would be easy to think summer will never come again—hence the painting’s name.
Layered in sultry glazes and gestural sweeps of colour, the palette embodies vibrant pinks and peaceful whites, Summer Will Come Again speaks to the heart. Inspired by the wild poppies and roses growing in the artist’s garden.
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Posted in: Blog
ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
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